11 Fashioning moments that prove that fashion is more than just clothing-namely pure empowerment

11 Fashioning moments that prove that fashion is more than just clothing-namely pure empowerment

DieOften has no easy image. Too fast -moving. Too superficial. Too unsustainable. So at least it is stamped quickly. Fashion is something that really deals with: R of us. Because everyone is probably pulling an outfit out of the wardrobe in the morning - some with more, some with less dedication. And even if someone now outraged when reading these lines that he or her fashion doesn't matter: this is already a decision. Because even the denial of fashion is a message that is worn outwards.

Whether consciously or unconsciously - communicates fashion. It shows belonging when we were certainkeep, be it at work, at weddings or funerals. However, it can also be chosen consciously to set a statement: for example through a key piece that strengthens us at an important moment-for example thatoneConfidence booster dress-, or a symbol that transports an attitude.

10 fashion moments that show that fashion pure empowerment is-and one who shows that it unfortunately also works the other way around

And that can be lifted quickly from the micro-quickly to the meta level: fashion has always been a mirror of social currents and struggles. It shows what is possible, what changes - and what is still competitive. This becomes particularly impressive in key moments of history in which fashion became discussed: when a movement combines colors or dress codes when a red carpet suddenly becomes a political stage or a single outfit triggers a worldwide debate. Fashion writes history - often exactly when it becomes a statement.

The Suffragetten movement

In the 19th century, the women's rights activists of the feminist sufferer movement, which was particularly active in the United States and Great Britain, be used as a protestant in their struggle for women's voting rights. Her- White, purple and green - had a symbolic meaning: white stood for purity and moral integrity, purple for dignity and loyalty, green for hope. White was particularly strategically chosen because it gave women respecting and made them immediately recognizable in the often male -dominated protests.

This visual heritage continues to live in the United States: politicians know as a homage to the Suffragettes-such as Hillary Clinton in their speech as the first presidential candidate (2016) or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez when swearing in the US Congress (2019). In the “State of the Union” speeches by the US President, democrats have appeared several times in white in recent years to symbolize unity and the ongoing struggle for women's rights.

The flapper girls of the 1920s

Short dresses, loose silhouettes, bob hairstyles-the fashion of the 1920s was one thing above all: radically different. An exemption from the constricting corsets of the previous generations, in the literal but also transmitted sense: by omitting the constricting bodice and the lived nightlife, they desired against the reactionary distribution of roles.

Diors “We Should All Be Feminists”-T-Shirts

In 2016 María Grazia Chiuri celebrated her debut as a creative director-and that with a feminist bang: a simple white T-shirt with the inscription “We Should all be feminists”-inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's famous essay. The shirt went viral, was worn by stars like Rihanna and made it clear that feminist messages are not only in books or speeches, but also on the catwalk. Suddenly it was cool to show attitude - and fashion got a new political dimension. To date, such feminist codes can be found in María Grazia Chiuri's dior collections.

The #metoo-ara

Usually the Red Carpet is a show run for glamor and glitter - but (not only) in 2018 it became a protest stage. After the revelations around the years of abuse of power and sexual attacksAlmost all female (and many male) stars appeared in completely black clothing to the Golden Globes. The statement? Solidarity with the victims of sexual violence - and a sign that something has to change in Hollywood. The dress code became the uniformed rebellion, a silent but powerful moment of the #Metoo era, which redefined fashion as a political statement and ensured a high media coverage.

Red Carpet activism

But speaking of red-carpet activism. Outside of the Golden Globes 2018, large events are often used to impart political messages. We think of the legendary, at the levels of which the A-List stars always stand out with significant messages. For example, Model Cara Delevingne, who with “PEG the Patriarchy” corset, which translates as much as “Patriarchy” means against which the patriarchal system, which was still present. Or also in 2021 the politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who in the white dress with “Tax the Rich” saying, in German “Teensuert the Reichen”, at which gala appeared-a bold criticism of social inequality.

Lady Gaga is more than known for her provocative looks. In 2010, however, she took it to the top when she appeared in a dress of raw meat at the MTV VMAS. The message behind it: aProtest against the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policyof the US military, the queer soldier: banished inside, to speak openly about their sexuality. The singer wanted to show that human rights are not a matter of course: "If we don't stand up for what we believe, we will soon be nothing more than meat on the bones," she explained her choice of clothing in the US talk show "The Ellen Degeneres Show".

But even in Germany, political messages are becoming increasingly common on the red carpet. Luisa Neubauer in particular is developing as pioneers. In February 2025 at the Berlinale, she appeared for the third time at a Red Carpet event in an outfit that expressed her concern that more and more states are moving away from democracy. More precisely we decrypt this here:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's collar

The legendary judge at the US Supreme Court and feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg made an apparently inconspicuous accessory into her trademark: her “Dissent Collars”. Since the traditional judge was originally designed for men, it added to decorative collar - but one was of particular importance. Whenever she did not agree with a majority decision by the court, she was wearing her famous “Dissent Collar” - a black, golden details embroidered. This made fashion a subtle but powerful political statement for them. After their death in 2020, women worldwide wore collar as a homage to their work for equality and justice.

Serena Williams' Catsuit ban and her tutu comeback

Large sports tournaments are often determined by strict clothing rules - for example in tennis. The dress code at the legendary Grand Slam tournament Wimbledon? Always white. Athletes regularly rejected themselves, on the grounds that it causes mental stress during the period to wear a completely white look ... a fact that everyone: R menstruating can certainly understand. At theHowever, nothing has changed to this day.

Tennis icon Serena Williams also felt such strict rules: When they came up in 2018 at the French Open in a black catsuit, the outfit was quickly banned on the grounds that it was not "reflected in the" respect for the game and the place "-a questionable decision that many found sexist. Particularly controversial, since the tennis player wore the catsuit for medical reasons: after the birth of her daughter, she had to struggle with blood clots, and the tight -fitting suit helped promote blood circulation.

Serena William's reaction? At the US Open, the icon appeared in a black tutu - designed by designer Virgil Abloh for Nike. With this she adhered to the classic tennis skirt look, but in a new way and said it herself: “I felt like a superhero in the Catsuit, but if you find that I should wear a tutu-no problem, I am wearing a tutu. I can play in everything. "

Donald Trump's inauguration 2025

These were ten examples in which fashion caused pure empowerment as a non -verbal means of communication - but of course there is another way. The most recent example: The women's looks in the second inauguration of Donald Trump 2025. They were all strikingly conservative - a image of women that fits the President's propagated role model. At the green ensemble of daughter Ivanka Trump, parallels to the “The Handmaid's Tale” series, which plays in a totalitarian state in which women's rights are not even partially present, were drawn on the Internet. We have deciphered all the looks here: